Month: January 2019

Elliot is almost over his croup turned bronchitis from last week. It was obvious that he felt unwell when he took afternoon naps and had a loss of appetite. Overall, it was a busy week with doctor’s appointments, recovering, and taking various medications: antibiotics, steroids, over-the-counter pain reliever, and doing breathing treatments at home.

I took last week in stride and hoped that I wouldn’t get sick too. But last night I felt the first inklings of a cold: lightheaded, pounding head, achy body, and a yucky tasting cough. I consoled myself that at least Elliot was feeling better and Ellis hasn’t been throwing up. Ack! I got ahead of myself because Ellis felt queasy right after waking up and ran to the bathroom. Today was the first time she threw up without someone next to her.

The best scenario was resuming our regular activity schedule this week, but it’s having to be pushed back again. In the big scheme of things a few days will not break or put us behind since we can do make-up classes and still catch up to our lessons. But when I am tired, it makes those changes seem large and daunting. I wonder, where is my faith in all of this? God has brought me through challenges much bigger than this and I believe He can do it again.

Psalm 32:8

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

At-home breathing treatment with nebulizer. It’s helped so much with his coughing.

Today has been a rough day. I’ve been dealing with cold symptoms, fatigue, and extreme guilt that I couldn’t help Ellis this morning. Other nagging thoughts: I’m inconsistent with homeschooling lessons and our learning environment is too scattered. I wonder how our learning journey turned into this burdensome task. It used to be an exploration of budding interests and having fun learning together. But once I put so much pressure on myself, it’s begun to lose its spunk.

“I love a broad margin to my life.”

Henry David Thoreau

I need to give myself some margin and enjoy this time with my kids.

Rest. Must rest. Need down time to recover.

It’s a daily lesson in surrendering my fears and insecurities to God: let go and let God. Another lesson is setting my priorities in order.

Psalm 37:7

“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently or Him to act.”

Philippians 4:6

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

Elliot is sick with croup again. He used it get it much more frequently when he was younger, which was around the time when Ellis’ heart condition was precarious. Hectic times. I’d leave the house with my shirt on inside out and wonder why people at Starbucks gave a second glance; when the sunblock smear is plain smeared and forgotten to be blended in.

I’ve been told croup affects some kids more than others. But once antibodies are built up in the body, it gets easier to get over them in the future. Croup has similar symptoms like a cold: an ominous sore throat, mild fever, loss of appetite, and crankiness. One difference is that it worsens at night time and you hear an alarming cough; a barking seal with wheezing breathing sounds.

The first three to four nights are tough with constant coughing, crankiness, phlegm provoking a throw up. If elevating the pillow or massaging arms doesn’t work, I wrap him in a thick blanket and have him sit next to an opened window. The cold air opens up the inflamed upper airway. In the past I’ve tried running hot water to breathe in the steam. This upset him more than it helped.

Last night, Elliot woke up throughout the night crying and coughing. The fresh air seemed to help so we slept with the window cracked open. I put an unreasonable layers of blanket over him and I have a sore back from sleeping in a funny position on the floor.

We’re on day 3. Croup is a viral illness (which doesn’t require antibiotics), but our pediatrician decided otherwise after hearing his cough turn phlegmy. Fear is that it could turn into bronchitis.

Sleep deprived mom here; thank Jesus for naps, simple meals, and endless cups of coffee! Not being facetious. He coughs and I’m the lady following behind him with the antibacterial spray. Trying to help him recover and prevent Ellis from catching it. I don’t think I can take anymore Ellis hospital drama anymore. No more of that please!!!

Our fun activity today is canvas painting and playing with air-drying clay. I already guess it will be something Lego, mixing paint colors, and listening to the Ninjago soundtrack (again for the thousandth time).